Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for March, 2012
Organizing the Inside – Day 210 Not An Intellectual Matter
5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5 (NIV)
Having the mind of Christ.
How can this be? Who then is qualified to have the mind of Christ? For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 (NLT)
We are His dear children and through the Holy Spirit we can have the mind of Christ. He quickens our hearts and minds to receive the engrafted Word of God and become one with it. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 (KJV)
If God’s word tells us to let the mind of Christ be in us, then it’s apparent that this is something we can do. But this kind of submission to the Spirit doesn’t come by jumping up and down or by bearing down until you have the mind of Christ. It’s exact opposite of what you can will into existence. While the Lord will never take away your free will; having the mind of Christ only comes about when we give up (yield) our will and let His will be done. Relinquishing control and being yielded to God; that’s not something that is easy to do, and you’ll never do it on your own. It’s natural that your mind wants to be in control of your life. We have become so well-trained to rely on our intellect, that when it comes to spiritual things we end up missing God’s perfect will because we don’t always, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 (KJV) Spiritual matters are perceived by the spirit and when it comes to faith the mind plays a completely different role than it is accustomed to. Our human intellect does a really poor job at walking by faith. “…then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (KJV)
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) God has given us everything we need to walk in the Spirit, and be the women He has called us to be. We only need to receive His gifts and provisions by faith.
We must allow the Holy Spirit to regulate our heart and the head, with discipline will follow.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Organizing the Inside – Day 209 His Grace Is So Amazing!
22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)
Can a product hold more potential than the source from which it is derived?
I suspect not, particularly when the product doesn’t contain the source as a primary component. Although Jesus said we would do even greater works than He did, our potential could never surpass that of an omnipotent God. Nevertheless if we would dare approach His plan for our lives with one small fraction of the love and commitment that Christ did, the results would be phenomenal. During my most recent trip to New York, I considered great structures like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Empire State Building and realize that many of these things were done by men who were without God. Surely God is the giver of all life, and energy, but many men have gone on to do some pretty spectacular things without having a committed relationship with Him – I’m sure you’d agree. If so many physical structures can be built apart from the inner working of the Holy Spirit, can you imagine what kind of results man could have when working with God’s supernatural power? With God’s power, purpose and potential at work on the inside, instructing, directing, and perfecting us in spiritual matters the possibilities are immeasurable.
When Christians agree in love, and unity God’s products are produced.
To be in Christ is not just something to aspire to become one day. It’s about yielding to the Spirit of God to use you any way He chooses. What a great dispensation of GRACE. NO matter what we’ve done wrong, we can find forgiveness and honor in Christ. No matter how many times we mess up or feel like to giving up, God’s love and compassion toward us never dies. It is only by being connected with Christ that we can really help build His church. Can a man lead someone to Christ when he is walking in darkness? How effective can we be when it comes to sharing things of eternal value if our own eternity has yet to be secured by grace through faith? Making a difference where it really matters can only happen when we work together in the unity of love, and fellowship with Him.
Want to improve your productivity?
Then work on improving your acceptance of God’s grace. It will give you the encouragement you need to realize your goals can be reached. He made us worthy and gave us the ability to bear much fruit, and not just any fruit, but fruit that endures. As long as we acknowledge our total reliance upon the grace of God, we’ll make great strides in touching the hearts and lives of others. Yes, God bestows upon us favor that enables us to become fishers of men.
Organizing the Inside – Day 208 Do You Have A Form?
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
2 Timothy 3:5 (NLT)
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: (KJV)
Many people consider themselves good Christians.
Is their Christianity according to the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ? There are some communities where most everyone feels they are good Christians, raising their children in a “Christian home.” But what does that mean? Going to church, knowing exactly how to wave your hand instead of saying “Amen” is something many learn early, especially when they are good church going folks. So many, who have established their own form of righteousness are quick to point out that they were raised in a “good Christian home,” and that they are “a good person.” The problem with this is somehow they have built a false religion unto themselves. These are absolutely the hardest people to witness to, because their righteousness is not according to knowledge, and has absolutely nothing to do with redemption through Christ. Sunday after Sunday they walk orderly to the front and drop their offering in the basket, feeling as though their obedience has been fulfilled. Taking their seat again in the pew they feel a sense of pride because of their good works.
God is not interested in their good works, most of which will be burnt up when Jesus returns. (2 Peter 3:10) God is interested in man’s heart. Look inward and ask yourself a question. Do I have a form of godliness? If you’ve been around church folks for any length of time, you probably know how to look, act and finish all the clichés like, “God is good… all the time.” But the time is coming–indeed it’s here now–when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. John 4:23 (NLT) Looking good on the outside is meaningless when your inside is hurting because of sin. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6 (KJV)
It’s time for all the “good Christians” to seek God’s wisdom and live a life of holiness. Allow God into the inner parts of your heart and mind, while asking Him to help you change. For without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14b (NIV)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, Romans 12:2 (KJV) I am convinced of this, God doesn’t want us to have a form, He wants us transformed into the very image and likeness of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Having the mind of Christ begins with change that happens on the inside. It has nothing to do with how well you can act, pray, sing, give, or talk like a Christian…it’s about real change; which only comes one way, through Jesus.
Organizing the Inside – Day 207 She Almost Lost Her Footing
2But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. 6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? Psalm 73:2-13 (NLT) Also read remaining verses 14-28
Her feet began to slip.
Often she wondered, “How is it, that they prosper in their evil way?” Her eyes were on the ungodly, she thought, look at them – how they laugh and smile while they oppress their neighbors. Who will put an end to their hateful ways? In their greed and selfish pride they are left to flourish even more. She’d forgotten that the Lord, God sees everything. She was busy watching the wealthy live their lives, (reality TV) she almost stopped living her own. The seemingly prosperous ways of the wicked occupied her time; she no longer remembered her eternal reward. She stored up great wealth of eternal value, yet she almost lost it all. Her treasures were not hidden in earthen vessels, because she’d discovered true wealth that the wicked would never find. Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked. Proverbs 24:19 (NLT) Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 23:17 (NIV) Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; Psalm 37:1 (NIV)
Be mindful of God’s goodness; He is just.
There is nothing that will pass from life to death with the wicked when they leave, nothing except their lost souls and unforgiven sins. No matter how much money and material possessions they may have, no matter how popular, or sought after they become, their end is death and destruction. Their end is the pit, and no one will redeem them there. So cheer up, there is work to do. Yet, don’t rejoice because of the fate of the wicked. Instead pray for them that their sins would be forgiven. Share with them the gospel of truth, because deep inside they are empty, hurting and searching for answers. Remember God is your provider and He will make certain all your needs are met. Be at peace, your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. Walk in His way and drink from the well that never runs dry. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 (NIV)
He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” Matthew 3:12 (NLT) The fate of the wicked is sad, but God is just…no man can question His righteous wrath.
Organizing the Inside – Day 206 Rooted In Love
14When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
God’s love gives strength to fulfill the call.
God’s love and power is fully capable of preparing and equipping you for ministry. Many Christian women have the “Super Saint” syndrome. You look around – first mistake. You must keep your eyes on Jesus for He alone is the author and finisher of your faith. (Hebrews 12:2) When you consider what sister “someone else” is doing, or how they have grown, or achieved, or seemed so blessed in what they do, you begin to lose focus on what you are supposed to do. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Galatians 6:4 (NLT) If you were totally honest you would admit you sometimes want to be able to speak like her, sing like her, some even try to pray in tongues like someone else. But God wants you to have faith in Him and His ability to make you grow.
Strive to be like Christ.
You, yes YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.(Psalm 139:14) You, yes YOU are His dear child and there are certain things that God intended for you to do. Sister Suzie, as blessed as she is, has not been called to carry out God’s plan for your life. There is a purpose that is especially meant for your life. God took the time to make each one of us different, and you do the Creator a disservice when you emulate someone other than Christ. Have faith in God. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
God’s power is more than enough.
God’s peace is surely enough.
God’s strength is quite enough.
God’s love is plenty enough.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20, 21 (KJV)
Patience and Faith are the productivity partners.
Trust God to make you strong in Jesus Christ. Have patience as God develops your gifts and talents. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 (NIV) God’s love will give you the spiritual growth and strength to carry out His plan. Leadership is important and God puts leaders and teachers in place to help the church grow. Just remember, your personal spiritual relationship with Christ is the single most important relationship you will ever have. Put your eyes on Him, and God will help you to continue to grow. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. Ephesians 2:20 (NLT) The foundation has already been laid and it’s up to us to do the work to build upon it. God wouldn’t give you work to do and then not strengthen you to finish it. No matter how many come along with great revelations said to be truth, no one is going to rebuild the foundation again. Therefore as Paul said, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:12, 13
5After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (NLT)
In conclusion, let sister Suzie do her, you do you, and I’ll do me, as we all work together to be like Christ. Each of us, with our own personalities and unique style, are authentic creations in the perfect plan and will of God.
Organizing the Inside – Day 205 Born For Just Such A Time
13Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16“Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” 17So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. Ester 4:13-17 (NLT)
What woman is born to live and die unto herself?
I would suggest the answer is no one, or better yet, absolutely no one. There was a time in my life when my worst fear was that I would live and die having never fulfilled God’s true purpose for my life. Since then I’ve been blessed to move beyond that very sad place of uncertainty, but for years I was stuck in fear and laziness. I believe innately in each of us is the need to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. I also believe that this is the way God intended things to be. Ester realized that God’s purpose for her life was not about her, but it was about helping the people of God. So it is for each one of us as Christian women, the position that you are in and any benefits that your life would bring is not solely for your personal fulfillment. Your fulfillment is actually a result of what Christ did and your willingness to do God’s will.
Have you ever wondered?
How many people needed to read that book you neglected write? How many people needed your gift of encouragement to help them reach their potential when they felt like giving up? How many people needed to take that class you said you were going to teach, but never got around to doing the work to get started? How many millions of lives would be touched by your raw focus and unrelenting obedience? 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)
When you don’t operate in your gifts and fulfill your purpose the whole body is affected.
The gift of prophesy needs prophesy, the gift of teaching need teaching and the list goes on. God didn’t put you here to duplicate what someone else is already doing. We are created in His image, but are unique with abilities that are authentic to whom He made us as individuals. We are one body, and we need each other, not independent from the whole, but so the entire body of Christ grows and benefits. Let us also not forget those of us who have been called with certain gifts like evangelism to minister to the lost. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 (NLT) The universe and all that is to come is not some haphazard thought in the mind of our Creator. Your life and your purpose mean something; but you have to get outside of yourself to find it. Nevertheless your purpose is completely tied to the entire plan of God for His good pleasure to bring Him honor and glory. What are you doing about it? 1And so, dear brothers and sisters,I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1, 2 (NLT)
I urge you to do the work to carry out God’s plan for your life. Say yes to what He has put on your heart to do. Open your heart; don’t let time keep passing by without doing what you’ve been put here to do. While finishing is far more important than starting, everything must have a beginning. It’s never too late to say yes again, for you were born for just such a time as this.
Organizing the Inside – Day 204 Have You Considered Where You Are?
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 119:133 (KJV)
Where are you?
If you are like me you are directionally challenged. In the Washington DC area where I live, the interstate connector is called the beltway. I often use the direction I’m traveling on the beltway as a way of gauging where I am and about how far I have to go. If I don’t know exactly where I am, I feel really uncomfortable as if I’m wasting time. I guess that’s why I’ve come to rely on those huge maps at the mall, you know – the ones that show a big picture of the entire mall. I go straight to the map and look for the little icon that says “You are here.” The creators of those maps know that unless you know where you are, you have no clue how to get to where you want to go. This same theory applies to us as Christian women. While the Word of God and the Holy Spirit are our GPS, lighting the way and guiding us through life, we still need to know where we are.
Take account of where you are.
Do you have any idea of the purpose behind why you are where you are in life now? Have you stopped long enough to take a look at where you are and what it is you are supposed to be doing from this point forward? Sometimes we get so busy living life that things just move along, as though we are on autopilot and we “do what we do,” not really considering where we are or where we are going. When I plan a road trip with a group of girlfriends, one of the most important things in preparing for our trip is to plan out when and where we would stop along the way to take stock. Assessing the amount of gas, where we are, how far we’d come and how long it would take to reach our destination, were all simple things that made our trip successful and a lot less stressful.
- What things have you been doing that have worked well and produced great results?
- What things have you done that caused problems that you would like to avoid in the future?
- What blunders have occurred that you can learn from?
- Do you need to seek God for more or a different direction?
When these kinds of questions go unanswered finding the way becomes far too complicated. While God tells us things on a need-to-know basis it’s important for us to seek His counsel and check in regularly to make sure we are on the right path. Once you find where you are, you will be able to better understand where it is that you should be going. The next step is finding out how to get there.
The Word of God is your guide.
Before making plans about how to move your life forward it’s important to spend time in prayer. You want to make sure you set your will in line with God’s will and the best way to do that is through prayer and meditation. I believe meditation helps to stabilize (plant) us in the things of God; it is a way of continuously rethinking and digesting the Word. Psalm 1 teaches us how to be blessed and prosper in everything we do.
- You read or hear the Word of God (you take it in).
- You consider what you heard (you chew on it).
- You accept it as truth (you swallow it).
- You let it remain to become a part of who you are, you live it (you digest it).
Meditating goes beyond a onetime encounter.
When we meditate on the Word we are thinking on it, and accepting it as truth, whereby we live it, and become one with God’s word. This is a joyful practice that we repeat over and over. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:2, 3 (NLT) The Word of God is your GPS which will not only tell you where you are, it will also tell you which way to go to reach your destination. Take time to take stock of where you are today and then ask God to guide your steps as you make plans for a successful journey.
Organizing the Inside – Day 203 Putting Fear In Its Place
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:5-11 (NLT)
This post is a continuation from yesterday – Day 202. If you missed yesterday’s post, I invite you to go back and read it to get the full concept of what I’ve written.
Taking a stand against fear is the best way to put it in its place.
Decide now that if Daniel can go into the lion’s den, and come out untouched you too have the protection you need to stand for what is right. If Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can come out of the fiery furnace without as much as the scent of smoke on their clothing, then surely you are fully capable of victoriously facing anything that is before you. If you are confident that your dream is from God and it is what He has given you a passion for, then you must go-for-it.
Jesus prayed, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.”
God’s will is to be done on earth, in our hearts and lives as it is in heaven. The Kingdom of God is set up within every believer who would dare to forsake their own selfish ambitions and follow Christ. The disciples walked away from everything (Luke 5:11). They were focused on one thing, obeying Christ and doing God’s will. When we are committed to following Christ, He tells us that He will give us the desires of our hearts. May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4 (NLT) Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 (NLT) Why would He do such a thing? When we put God first and follow Him, our desires, dreams and passions are for the things of God, they fit perfectly into His will for our lives. No longer are you concerned with impressing others with your status among men, you are concerned with God’s kingdom coming. In His kingdom there is only true love. There is no room for pride, jealousy, selfishness, or greed in the heart of one who has allowed God’s Kingdom to set up there.
Jesus told us many times in the scriptures not to be afraid.
Fear holds us back. Here is the key, when you allow His kingdom to come and be established in your heart and life you have overcome fear. Why? “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 (NIV) When God’s kingdom comes into your heart, I mean – you have completely yielded and your life is completely about doing His will, something happens on the inside and all fear is gone. I believe this is a supernatural occurrence orchestrated by the Holy Spirit when God has a vessel that is totally yielded to His will. We understand this, God’s kingdom is already established in heaven. In heaven there is no disobedience, fear, or selfishness it just doesn’t exist there. What Jesus was praying for was that while we are here, God’s kingdom would come in our hearts and lives. That means DOING WHAT GOD PUT IN YOUR HEART TO DO. Really it is that simple, obeying God and agreeing with Him. When Simon and the disciples were ready to leave everything to follow Jesus they did so for a reason; they were pursuing their purpose. Jesus immediately told Simon two things:
- “Don’t be afraid.”
- “From now on, you will be fishing for people.”
The key to overcoming your fear is doing God’s will.
Move out of the problem and into the solution. By following your dream, you will find yourself directly in the center of the Will of God. Your brilliant zone is there (in God’s Will) the place where your talents, abilities, gifts and skills work best. Ask God for help today, the answers you’re looking for are not hidden. If you don’t know your purpose, He will show you. If you are not sure about your vision, He will clarify it. God wants His children to be filled with love, Perfect love drives out fear 1 John 4:18 and God is Love 1 John 4:16.
May God’s Kingdom come and may His will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Organizing the Inside – Day 202 Breaking the Thread of Fear
5“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
8When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” 9For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Luke 5:5-11 (NLT)
The risk of not being completely successful will never go away, at least not in this life.
Who has ever charted a path that didn’t contain a few stones? There will always be obstacles and those obstacles often pose risks. But, as Christian women we trust God even when there are obstacles. 11For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11,12 (NIV) It’s your tolerance for risks that will give you the endurance to press on.
To move forward you must be willing to trust God.
What He put inside of you – the vision, the passion, along with your (TAGS) talents, abilities, gifts and skills will always be challenged by fear. Fear is like a silk thread that is woven throughout every negative thought of failure. Sometimes you can see fear, sometimes you can’t. But if you worry that you won’t have enough resources, or that you didn’t correctly hear from God, or especially that you may fail, fear is not far. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) The simple truth is fear is only an illusion. Yes, fear is there, but it is not real. It is false always contrary to the Word of God, fear is completely untrue. Fear is that common thread that runs through every excuse you have ever used not to do what God said. Fear goes beyond laziness, and is at the heart of your inability to move forward. Fear runs through every reason you never pursued your passion, or never finished writing your book, or never tried to obey God with all your heart. Many Christians are afraid of what they may have to give up, and others are afraid of what they might gain…either way FEAR is at the root of whatever is holding you back.
What are you afraid of?
Organizing the inside is about recognizing who God is, the Creator of the universe. The earth is His footstool. His greatness is too wonderful for us to understand. Now He is the One who has your back. Next you must realize who you are in Him. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NLT) You are His offspring. In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. Romans 9:8 (NIV) You are a child of, “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God,” 1 Timothy 1:17(JKV) What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31
Putting fear in its place.
Tomorrow, if the Lord is willing, we look at how to, put fear in its place, once and for all. Learning to trust God is a process, but the Holy Spirit will see you through. Jesus prayed, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 Day 203 we will look at what passion and fear has to do with what Jesus prayed.
Organizing the Inside – Day 201 Casting Down Every High Thing
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
Every negative “what-if” has paraded itself through your mind and now you are a nervous wreck.
That never has to happen to you again; really you can overcome this too. Your mind can be controlled by the spirit man but it will take a bit of practice. Just because your mind decides to hold you hostage by going into the mental default mode, “negative” doesn’t mean you have to go along with it. The Word of God teaches us that we have power over our minds.
Jesus bore negative thoughts when He hung on the cross.
Right along with our sins, Jesus also paid the price for our physical health and our mental health. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” There is nothing that can torment your peace more than negative thoughts that just keep popping up, right?
You may have to assert your authority.
Negative thoughts are a trick of the enemy; there is nothing new in his arsenal of weapons. The Greater One is in you! First settle this in your mind, that Jesus died for you to be FREE mentally, spiritually and physically. Next settle it in your heart that you have the power to do what the Word of God says; bring every thought under the obedience of Christ.
If you are struggling with fear about the future because of bad thoughts your problem is more common than you think. I think every Christian at one time or another has had the forces of the enemy try to attack their thought life. Here are some real life applications that will help you conquer a cluttered thought life once and for all. If you practice making these changes it will change your life.
Seven Ways to Take Charge of Your Thoughts:
You can take each one captive and make it obey the Word of God.
1). Memorize scripture that you can recite out loud when your thoughts are under attack. Philippians 4:8 and Isaiah 41:10 are both an excellent place to start.
2). Speak directly to the negative thought and say “Negative thought, I take authority over you in the name of Jesus, you have no power and I render you null and void.”
3). Pray in the spirit, your mind can not comprehend, but the Word says, He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; 1 Corinthians 14:4 (KJV)
4). Write down the negative thought and then go through the process of actually burning the paper. This will work as a visual image that the thought has been destroyed.
5). When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He spoke the Word of God. Speak the Word of God aloud and say, “It is written (fill in your scripture here).” If there is a particular thought that keeps coming up then you can look up a specific scripture to use. This will help to increase your faith, because faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So make sure you speak the words don’t just think them.
6). Sing praise songs. God inhabits the praises of His people. Psalm 22:3. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty 2 Corinthians 3:17 and your mind can not and will not stay in bondage to negative thoughts when you are praising God.
7). Meditate on the Word of God. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) Meditation is a way of recalling, pondering, thinking deeply and digesting the Word of God, over and over and over. As your mind and your heart embraces the powerful, anointed Word of God the bondage will be broken. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage Isaiah 10:27 and Jesus is the anointed one Luke 4:18 and He is the Word. John 1:14
EXTRA: Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalm 103:1 (KJV) Your mind is within you. Speak to your mind and tell it that it must obey the Word of God. What you say has the same creative force behind it as the Word of God, because you are created in His image and in His likeness. All the more powerful than what you say is when you speak the written Word. You have the authority to do it, now all you have to do is act on that authority.
Thank God for Jesus who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly! (John 10:10)
If you know of other ways to cast down negative thoughts, I invite you to post a comment. To help a sister who might be struggling.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 